Hello friends, my name is Anna Smither Semon. Yes, I have two last names now because I was kind enough to take on my hub's last name, even though it is a handful of words to say. So let's start with a fun fact. In the picture above, I am holding a cochlear implant. I am holding this device because it is a part of my life, meaning I am deaf in both ears and use this device every day to help me hear. Not a lot of people who have met me knows this about me because you don't...

the third component of macros is fat. not only, fats provide energy, but it is to keep you full too. fats are needed by our bodies to provide essential fatty acids and to carry fat soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E and K. We often divide fats into two types: saturated fats and unsaturated fats. usually, we recommend to limit the amount of saturated fats we eat, and to use mainly unsaturated fats to improve our health. the types of fats that we eat are important. fats from plant sources like nuts, avocados, and vegetable oils...

protein. this is the most important macro when it comes to building and repairing your muscles. if you don’t get adequate amounts of protein, your muscles will take longer to heal, may not heal completely, and it will be a lot harder to build upon your existing muscles. it is made up of building blocks called amino acids. some amino acids can be produced in the body and some need to be eaten in food. however, just like any other macro, protein has to be consumed in the appropriate amounts to avoid excessive weight gain. protein is 4 calories per...

Carbohydrates. It seems like everyone has an opinion about whether carbs are good or bad for you. Regardless of how you feel about them, they are essential to your health! You need carbohydrates to survive. This is a fact and eliminating carbs from your diet is incredibly dangerous. Simply put, carbohydrates provide energy. Carbs are used for energy, which includes everything from cell creation, metabolism, and all your basic body functions. That means you need some form of carbohydrates to help facilitate muscle repair and growth, along with energy just to have a good workout. Quick energy carbs come from...

ever wonder why you feel so fantastic on a cleanse? once you get over the sugar, caffeine, and alcohol withdrawals, you feel as if you hit the reset button with your body: light, cheery and renewed. so what can we do to maintain that open, uplifted, energized, and balanced feeling we achieve through our eating habits? It is no secret that what we eat affects the way that we feel day to day. A vibrant variety of fruits and vegetables, nuts + seeds, and appropriate sizes of proteins + fats will offer us ample energy and vitality. these foods...